The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-01-15
Letters Of Introduction.

The Home /0z,ual has the following:
If letters of introduction are given you
to present yourself or family to the no.
tice of mutual acquaintance, send them
in an envelope with card and address
enclosed in it.
1t is much better to thus introduce
yourself to their notice than to call in
person, for by SO doing you may avoid
an unpleasant position. You are per-
feet stranger to the lady, and although
your name is mentioned by your mutual
friend, yet it will take few seconds for
her to read it, while you must stand,
hat in hand, waiting for reception
which may not always be cordial one.
For in these days of agents OF all kinds,
and in this tagging age, people of re-
spectacle appearance will force them
selves in your houses, and insist upon
seeing some one of its occupants, solely
for the purpose of obtaining money for
themselves and others, and therefore.
strangers are looked upon with suspicion
at their entrance into parlor, and,
while your letter is being read, you must
fall somewhat under this suspicion.
Yet, if the mutual friend possessed the
right to introduce you, the moment his
and your name is comprehended you
ought to receive a cordial welcome; but
if he has been more kind than wise, and
the mistress is worldly wise, the recep-
ton may not be very warm one. Make
short call at that time, and if, being
gentleman, you are requested to call
again soon, be sure to do so.
Letters of introduction should never
be sealed, but left open to be read by
the one who presents them, and to be
at once opened by the one who reads
them.
They should be written on the best
note paper obtainable, and the envelope
should match it exactly. The hand
writing should be made very legible and
the lines wide apart, SO as to be quickly
read. An attention to these seeming
.riaee 10 not only doeireble but rePuta6iS.
If friends send you letter of intro
duction, stating that intimate friends of
theirs are going to reside near you and
asking your kind attention for them,
you should answer the letter at once and
express your willingness to accede to
their wishes. To neglect to do so would
show you to be an ill-bred person and
it would also be slight which would
be deeply felt by your friends.
Do not, my young readers, think for
amoment that the forms and observances
pertaining to little things are unworthy
of your attention.
1t may seem of little consequence to
you whether your letter of introduction
is written on the best note paper you
possess or on the poorest; or whether
you call day or two earlier or later
upon new conner; or whether you are
in the drawing.room ready to receive
an expected visitor, or walking in your
garden, yet upon such little things much
may depend. They are not immaterial,
because your reputation for good breed
ing may be involved by them. Of
course persons may bring to you letters
of introduction with whom you cannot
desire an intimate acquaintance. Ifso,
you should call, but it is not your posi-
tive obligation to invite them to dinner
or tea. Yet it is considered an exhibi-
ton of kindness on your part to do so.
But do not give the invitation with an
air of 'it must be done, therefore l do